“Second Hand Embarrasment”: 10 Cringe-Worthy Moments From The 2025 Emmys

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards lit up the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025, celebrating television’s biggest stars and shows.

But while the night promised prestige and applause for celebs, it also came with plenty of eyebrow-raising blunders that had fans cringing in the background.

From a "rude" award acceptance to questionable fashion choices and a speech countdown that fell flat, here are the most awkward and cringeworthy moments from the 2025 Emmys.

#1 Adam Randall Being “Rude And Bossy”

just me or this was kind of rude and bossy? Gee! Body language! #Awkward Jesse Williams looked uncomfortable and kind of mad at the end
#emmys pic.twitter.com/ZAwIvyC86T
— Aquariana Grandeur (@MeawLeTyran) September 15, 2025

#2 Walton Goggins' Awkward PDA Moment With Wife

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A post shared by Variety (@variety)

#3 Speech Countdown

Imagine winning an Emmy and instead of flashing a timer countdown they’re flashing this at you instead, no wonder so many speeches are getting frazzled when they can see the counter going down while they’re on stage! #Emmys pic.twitter.com/bZmsvOLAm3
— Mara Webster 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@Mara_Webster) September 15, 2025

#4 Elizabeth Banks Calling Out Male Nominees

Elizabeth Banks making the whole intro to that Emmys category about how women are never nominated for it just for the sole male nominee to end up winning 2 seconds later pic.twitter.com/ECsD8IEwVz
— Emily (@emilybernay) September 15, 2025

#5 Jennifer Coolidge’s Monologue

"I made it." - Jennifer Coolidge at the #Emmys pic.twitter.com/XuEtZea8Q5
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 15, 2025

#6 Malin Akerman Red Carpet Confession

brittany's jaw dropping when malin mentioned being pregnant while reading 50 shades?? 😭 pic.twitter.com/NTAlG3aMxa
— yana (@jessiesluvr) September 14, 2025

#7 Tina Fey’s Jab At Drake

Tina Fey brings the laughs while presenting the award for Outstanding Variety Series at the #Emmys. pic.twitter.com/lomff0YMQ8
— Variety (@Variety) September 15, 2025

#8 Kori King And Joella’s Weird Outfits On The Red Carpet

#Dragrace stars Kori King and Joella arrive at the #Emmys dressed as Michael Jackson and a Labubu pic.twitter.com/QZKKF8jF0K
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 14, 2025

#9 James Burrows' Reaction

James Burrows couldn’t keep a straight face after his show lost the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.

His project Mid-Century Modern was beaten by The Studio, directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.

When the winners were announced, the camera cut to James, who looked visibly displeased, a reaction that quickly went viral online.

Fans couldn’t help but find the moment hilarious.

“The director at the #Emmys who put the camera on legendary sitcom director James Burroughs to capture his face… deserves a serious raise,” wrote one fan.

“And kudos to Burroughs for refusing to hide his disdain. LOL.”

One netizen simply wrote, “James Burrows was not happy.”